How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:7
I just love this picture. Here you are able to see the beauty of spring bursting forth within the shadow of the tree. Amidst shadows, there is beauty.
This past fall my husband Eric went through a corporate restructure with Food Lion, his employer for the past 26 years. He was told his current position would be eliminated, but he would be allowed to apply for new positions within the company. The first job he applied for was his dream job: Director of Merchandising for the Northern Division. To say he was devastated when he didn’t get it is an understatement.
And through the shadows, new life has taken place.
Last Thursday Eric called the person who got the Director of Merchandising job and told her that he wanted to have a good relationship with her, that anything she needed, he was ready to help her with, that he was in her corner, that he wants her to be a success. By the end of the day the magnitude of that gesture made its way back to Eric as both his old boss and new boss had heard about the phone call he had made and each called him to tell him so – and to thank him. An example of Eric’s character? Yes. An example of grace personified? Indeed.
In the shadows of life, we find refuge with God, and with God new life takes place. May we seek times of refuge with God this Lenten season, anticipating the new life that is to come.
Rev. Judy Oguich